Renaissance Learning looks to expand literacy growth with MyON acquisition

Wisconsin Rapids-based Renaissance Learning -- one of the biggest software and learning analytics companies in the country -- is making a major acquisition.

The company is acquiring MyON, which specializes in learning solutions through an expansive digital library.

Renaissance CEO Daniel Hamburger said the partnership is to further the goal of literary growth for all students. Renaissance's products and services are used by 20 million students worldwide, which Hamburger expects to increase with the recent acquisition.

"It's really about growth. Trying to serve more students, more teachers, so we would expect -- both organizations, Renaissance and MyON -- we're growing independently, and now together we have a more complete solution," Hamburger said.

MyON is a Minnesota company that began in 2010 by Todd Brekhus, who serves as President of MyON at Renaissance. Brekhus said MyON's outreach has grown to 7,000 schools by building a digital library of books, with different genres for multiple grade levels.

"So basically, changing the way that books would be distributed through the library, to the classroom and to homes by providing online digital books with audio to all students," Brekhus explained.

Brekhus said the partnership with Renaissance will help kids get more motivated to improve their literary skills.

"MyON captures the time spent reading. And Renaissance is capturing the books that kids are reading. And so is MyON," Brekhus said. "And so now together, having a digital and anolog if you will -- a print and a digital partnership -- it really creates a powerful online reading experience as well as all that we can do together going forward."

Hamburger explained that MyON hasn't just been engaging the classroom, but also different communities to help with literacy rates. It's something he hopes will grow with the new partnership.

"They've partnered up with the YMCA, the Boys & Girls Club, public libraries as well as the schools to bring access to reading, to everyone," Hamburger said. "Together, we're hoping we can improve literary access for everyone."

All a plan Hamburger believes will further the company's mission, including in our neck of the woods.

"Our focus and dedication to central Wisconsin continues, and I don't see that going anywhere but up," Hamburger said.

Hamburger said it's too early to tell if the acquisition of MyON will add any future jobs, but indicated it's a possibility, since he expects the combined organizations to continue to grow.